Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will sign a long-awaiting economic association agreement with the European Union, when Friday rolls around to Strasbourg, France.  Seven months ago, his predecessor Viktor Yanukovich balked on the deal, leading to Euromaidan protests that brought a new regime to Kiev.

But that led to a violent wave of pro-Moscow separatism in the east of Ukraine, which speaks Russian and identifies culturally with its neighbor more than it does with Kiev.  Each side blames the other for the violence.  Thousands of civilians not involved in the fighting lined up at the Russian border in cars packed with personal belongings.  They’re getting out before Kiev’s cease-fire with the rebels ends on Friday.

Speaking in Strasbourg, President Poroshenko called on Moscow to end its support of the separatists and to back his peace plan.  He also said normal bilateral relations would be on hold as long as Russia occupies the Crimean Peninsula, seized from Ukraine and annexed in March.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry is threatening a new round of US economic sanctions on Russia, if Moscow does not pressure the armed separatists in eastern Ukraine to give up the fight.  Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has rescinded the order authorizing him to use force in Ukraine, the US is less than convinced of his intent.